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Seize the Day

Whether your morning goals are a walk at sunrise, packing a healthy lunch for the day or planning out your weight-loss strategy for the day, it can be difficult to roll out of bed at the break of dawn. But, imagine what you can accomplish if you set the alarm even 45 minutes earlier than usual on a regular basis!

I say, “Up and at ’em!”

Follow these tips to get up and get moving first thing in the morning:

1) Give yourself a good reason–Without this, why bother? Before you go to sleep, think about what you want to accomplish the next morning. Pick something your passionate about or that you know you’ll feel good about doing(not merely a chore) and you’ll find it easier to get motivated. Me? I love to get up an go for a walk before the rest of the house is even stirring. I love the quiet time, I love how it energizes me and I love how I feel the rest of the day. I guess I just love mornings and what I can accomplish when I get up early.

2) Get enough sleep–Maybe you can get by on four or five hours of sleep for a while, but over the long haul your body and brain will rebel. Even if you do manage to pull yourself out of bed at that point, your lethargy might take over. Being a zombie won’t help you get through the day effectively. Make sure to get your rest so you can take on the next day with a vengeance.

3) Use a buddy system--Enlist a morning-bird friend to call you at an arranged time. Or, alternate duties with another friend so you’re responsible for waking each other up. Getting up will be easier when you know other people are depending on you.

4) Don’t snooze--If necessary, place your alarm across the room (in the closet, under the bed…) so you have to get up to shut it off. Drink a glass of cold water right away to get your system started.

5) Establish a routine–Get up at the same time everyday, even if your schedule fluctuates. Even if some mornings are more difficult to face than others, a consistent pattern will help your body wake itself up on most days. Morning is a time of peace and renewed energy…harness it!